9th April 2019

To Whom It May Concern:

I am only too pleased to provide this testimonial in support of Jessica Cassidy’s application
towards her Graduate Teacher Portfolio. My comments relate specifically to Jessica’s participation
in the National Exceptional Teaching for Disadvantaged Schools (NETDS) program which has
been designed as a means of identifying, preparing and deploying high performing preservice
teachers for work in the challenging setting of Australia’s most disadvantaged schools.

NETDS is now operating across 8 Australian universities with the first cohort from Australian
Catholic University (ACU) due to graduate in 2019. NETDS aims to ensure that the highest
performing preservice teachers are equipped to teach and are encouraged to select employment
in low-SES school settings. The program begins with the selection of 3rd year BEd (Primary)
students at ACU with outstanding GPAs who are then interviewed as part of the selection process.
Jessica was identified as one of these students and subsequently engaged in a scholarly cohort-
based Initial Teacher Education model where she was able to apply a modified curriculum
centered around embedded notions of advocacy and social justice. This included a rigorous on-
campus curriculum focusing on a sophisticated understanding of the dynamics of poverty and
disadvantage and how to best translate theory into equity directed pedagogy. Importantly, the
NETDS program required that all 3rd and 4th year Professional Experience placements are
conducted in low SES schools. Feedback from the principals and supervising teachers about
Jessica’s performance in these difficult teaching environments has been extremely positive.
Overall Jessica has proven capable of not only being able to ground complex theoretical content
within low SES educational and social contexts, but just as importantly, Jessica has proven to be
an extremely proficient and skilled classroom teacher.

I therefore have no hesitation in providing this testimonial and foresee that Jessica will bring an
exemplary level of practical and theoretical knowledge to her next teaching position. If there are
any points that need further clarification, I am only too happy to provide these by either phone or
email.

Yours faithfully

Professor Bruce Burnett

Director National Exceptional Teaching for Disadvantaged Schools
School of Education, Faculty of Education & Arts, Australian Catholic University
1100 Nudgee Road, Banyo, Brisbane, QLD 4014
Tel: +61 7 3861 6285 Mob: 0432 089080
Email: Bruce.Burnett@acu.edu.au
www.acu.edu.au/education

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